Pool
2021 Pool Schedule
Due to a lifeguard and general labor shortage all over Austin and the country, our lifeguard contractor is having difficulty finding enough lifeguards to staff both Mueller pools for the combined 26 hours a day they have previously been staffed for open/public swim. As a result, effective Thursday, June 10, the lifeguards will be on duty as follows:
John Gaines: 10 AM to 4 PM daily except closed on Wednesdays for weekly maintenance
Ella Wooten: 4 PM to 10 PM daily except closed on Mondays for weekly maintenance (FYI, Ella Wooten will be open on July 5 and Sept. 6 as part of holiday weekends)
For Mueller residents who pay the monthly pool assessment, both pools will remain open without lifeguards on duty as currently scheduled: from 6 AM to 10 PM except on the days the pools are closed for weekly maintenance.
Mueller Community Pools
As is fitting for a community built in partnership with the city and people of Austin, Mueller’s high-quality parks, trails and recreational facilities enhance the quality of life of both our residents and our neighbors.
The pools are privately owned and maintained but are open for recreational swimming in the afternoons for residents and neighbors alike at times consistent with similar Austin neighborhood pools in the area. We’ve developed an operations plan that allows us to serve the community and meet state regulations to ensure safety.
John Gaines Pool, our newest swim center, is now operational and has both resident and open swim hours to supplement Ella Wooten Pool.
Swimming Schedule
SEASON - The Pool Area is generally open from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day. The precise opening and closing dates are determined by the Board and follows school calendars due to availability of lifeguards. The swim season generally opens with Resident Swim only on March 29th. Open Swim (lifeguards on duty) through the weekdays and weekends begins on Memorial Day weekend. Once school starts, open swim (lifeguards on duty) will only occur on the weekends until Labor Day. After Labor Day the pool will continue to be open for Resident Swim only through Thursday, October 31st. During Off-Season the pool may be opened for Resident Swim during the months of April and May, September and October.
The last day for open swim is Labor Day, Monday September 2nd. The pool will then remain open for resident swim through October 31, 2019.
Ella Wooten Pool Hours (Closed Mondays)
OPEN SWIM 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM when lifeguards are on duty. Meets State requirements for use by resident patrons and non-resident patrons. All patrons must leave the pool area before and after Open Swim times due to the lifeguard's opening and closing procedures. During Open Swim the registration desk will be manned. All swim center patrons must sign in at the desk, sign a release and show identification.
RESIDENT SWIM Tuesday – Sunday 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM; No lifeguard supervision. State requirements limit use to resident patrons.
John Gaines Pool Hours (Closed Wednesdays)
OPEN SWIM 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM when lifeguards are on duty. Meets State requirements for use by resident patrons and non-resident patrons. All patrons must leave the pool area before and after Open Swim times due to the lifeguard's opening and closing procedures. During Open Swim the registration desk will be manned. All swim center patrons must sign in at the desk, sign a release and show identification.
RESIDENT SWIM Thursday – Tuesday 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM; No lifeguard supervision. State requirements limit use to resident patrons.
Pool Rules
The Pool Rules recommended by the Pool Committee and approved by the Mueller Master Community Association Board of Directors contain the usual safety considerations and are mostly consistent with the City of Austin pool rules. The official pool rules can be found here.
Some of the pool rules are summarized below:
1. You must follow all directions of the lifeguards while at the pool. If you have a complaint about the direction of a lifeguard,you can contact poolcommittee@muelleraustinonline.com but only after following their directive or leaving the pool. While you are at the pool the lifeguards have the final say.2. Residents and visitors must have a photo ID with them to enter the pool. Residents and visitors must sign in when entering the pool.
3. Residents must have a pool key to use the pool, even while the lifeguards are on duty or pay the daily entry fee.
4. Never prop open the pool gate.
5. No dogs or food are allowed inside the pool gate.
6. While the lifeguards are on duty we have a 10 minute break every hour – children must exit the pool during that time.
7. Have Fun!
Swim Passes
RESIDENT SWIM passes are generally available at Mueller Central on Monday - Thursday from 9 AM to 6 PM and Fridays 9 AM to 5 PM. Holidays may impact the office schedule, so please be sure to check the homepage for any changes.
OPEN SWIM passes are available to non-resident patrons at the registration desk during Open Swim hours as follows:
Day Pass Fees: Adult (18+) - $5.00; Junior (12-17) - $3.00; Child (11 and Under) and Senior (62 and over) - $2.00.
Mueller Swim Community
Check back soon for swim information.
Cleaning Schedule
The pool maintenance and cleaning is done by Crystal Clear Pools. Normally the pool is given a major cleaning on Mondays while the pool is closed. This includes shocking which means that chlorine levels are raised to a high level during which swimming is unsafe. There are two other thorough scheduled cleanings during the week, usually Wednesday and Friday. There is also an automated chemical monitoring system and the pool life guards are to make manual readings daily, assess the water level and contact pool maintenance company if possible.
Please keep in mind that wind and/or rain can cause a very recently cleaned pool to appear dirty. Particulate matter in the air tends to get dumped into the pool water leading to the noticeable observation that the pool is dirty. For the most part, a pool containing dust, sand, and dirt is not unsafe. Heat can also make the water appear murky. The pool filtration system will generally take care of the particulate matter over time and particulate matter than falls to the pool bottom will be picked up at the next pool vacuuming.
Maintenance Updates
Please contact Associa Hill Country at 512-328-6100 to report any maintenance needs or concerns.
Fecal Matter in the Pool
We have experienced several instances of fecal contamination in the Ella Wooten pool. This is a very serious issue: Crypto, short for Cryptosporidium is a germ that can cause diarrhea when ingested. It is found in fecal matter and cannot be seen by the naked eye. Because Crypto is chlorine-resistant and can live for days in chlorine-treated water, pools may need special care after a fecal incident which caused the swim area to close several times last year.
Please help us prevent this by making sure all young children wear a swim diaper, even if they are potty trained and taking your kids on regular bathroom breaks and check swim diapers often. Waiting to hear "I have to go" may mean that it's too late.
For more information on Crypto, the risks and recommended treatments, please see attached CDC fact sheet and the recommended treatments.
In the Event of Contamination
1. Get out of the pool and report to the lifeguard or call Associa Hill Country at 512-328-6100. Please calmly advise any other swimmers to exit the pool.
2. The pool will be closed down as soon as possible and locked. The pool maintenance company will shock the pool and then test the chemical level.
3. Based on the level of contamination, the pool maintenance company will make a determination of how long to close the pool before reopening based on the CDC guidelines.
4. As soon as possible we will advise the residents of an emergency pool closing via the announcements on the website and the message board feature. You can "subscribe" to the message board if you wish to receive emails when a new post is made.
5. Following the required amount of time the pool maintenance company will return, re-test chemical levels and make a decision to open the pool or not based on those results. These federal guidelines are for the safety of all pool patrons.
MCA Pool Committee
A dedicated group of Mueller residents advise the Board of Directors on all pool related issues. The pool committee always loves suggestions so please feel free to contact the MCA Pool Committee at poolcommittee@muelleraustinonline.com.
Frequently Asked Questions of the Pool Committee
Why are the pools closed one day per week?It is important to have a predictable time for major pool cleaning and repair. Pools are systems that cycle and filtrate the water. A fallow day gives this system an opportunity to handle the pool shocking process, normalize to acceptable chemical levels, and to provide a good stretch of unfettered filtration.